Algebraic \(K\)-theory of pure braid groups (Q5929562)

Let \(G\) be a finitely generated torsion free group. It has been conjectured that the Whitehead group of such a \(G\) vanishes. This is known to be true for a large class of groups, but remains an open question in the above generality. The main result of this paper is that the Whitehead group of the pure braid group \(B_n\) vanishes, hence providing more evidence of the conjecture. The method to approach this result is by introducing the class of strongly poly-free groups (a proper subclass of the poly-free groups). The difference is an extra geometric condition that allows the authors to use methods and results of Farrell-Jones [\textit{F. T. Farrell} and \textit{L. E. Jones}, ``Isomorphism conjectures in algebraic \(K\)-theory'', J. Am. Math Soc. 6, No. 2, 249-297 (1993; Zbl 0798.57018)] to prove that the Whitehead group of \(G\times T^m\) vanishes for any strongly poly-free \(G\), here \(T\) stands for the infinite cyclic group. Then the authors prove that \(B_n\) is strongly poly-free for all \(n\geq 1\). As a corollary they also prove the following: let \(S\) be any compact connected surface, different from the two-sphere and the two-dimensional real projective space; then the Whitehead group of the pure braid group of \(S\) vanishes as well.